drug strengths?

[vdub]

What are the strengths of the various immuno-suppressant drugs? I know mtx is relatively light, but what about the other? rtx? celcept? etc? Whats the order of things? Does anyone have a general rundown of that info?

[Daggar]

From what the docs told us cytoxan is the most aggressive followed by rituxan and then the other 3 -- mtx, imuran, cellcept.

But I'm not sure if it is "strength" or how they work with the immune system?

[Sangye]

Basically there are two levels: Rtx and Ctx are the most powerful. The less powerful drugs are mtx, imuran and Cellcept. As far as I know, the drugs on each level are equally powerful. They differ in their mechanism of action and in the type of side effects.

[vdub]

Thank you! That's what I was curious about....

[drz]

Basically there are two levels: Rtx and Ctx are the most powerful. The less powerful drugs are mtx, imuran and Cellcept. As far as I know, the drugs on each level are equally powerful. They differ in their mechanism of action and in the type of side effects.

That is current list, but how long before they add something new for our treatment? Any ideas of what the next drug might be or when it might be available?

[pberggren1]

The next available drug is called Cellcept Sunrise!

[Chris G]

Is that anything like a tequila sunrise?? Love 'em!!

[pberggren1]

Yup, fairly similar except it has vodka instead of rum.

[Palmyra]

And much fewer calories to boot! You make me laugh pberggren

[Sangye]

drz, they're doing a study on Abatacept right now. That would be the same level as imuran, mtx and cellcept. A few months ago Dr Seo said there's nothing coming down the pike that would replace rtx or ctx. Most of the research seems to be focused on the drugs in the second category, as they are often used to treat other AI diseases.